Chery QQ3 Review from South Africa

2007 Chery QQ3 TX 1.1 petrol

Summary:

Pretty to look at, but don't lift the hood

Faults:

I do a lot of driving, and when I first bought my George (my car's name is George), I figured I was the smartest person alive!! I managed to get 650k's off a 40L tank, and still had room in reserve to get to the gas station. But then things went awry.

My alternator and water pump both had to be replaced at 50 000. I live in the Western Cape, where parts are not easily come by, so I had to wait 2 weeks, just to be told that the parts would take another 2 weeks to be properly installed.

There is no air con in the car, despite it having been sold to me with one. You can imagine my surprise when I got to the garage and asked them to check my air con because it was not working, only to have them tell me that there isn't one...

When it rains - and it definitely rains in the Western Cape, my car stalls, as water gets into the engine. If it rains too hard, water gets into the engine. I've had this checked out by a few people, thinking it may be rust somewhere, but I was told it must be a "kink in the manufacture" of the car.

The airbags don't work.

The radio plays when it wants - regardless of whether it was put on.

And now, it seems the gasket of the car has blown, and the cooling system needs to be replaced.

All this from a car bought at a reputable dealership.

General Comments:

I love my George. We've done many kilometers together, but now it's just getting too expensive.

He handles nicely around corners, takes the uphills like a monster, and hums when he isn't sick.